Never Have I Ever

“Never Have I Ever” is a Netflix coming-of-age comedy-drama series created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher. The show revolves around Devi Veshwakumar, a first-generation Indian American teenager, as she navigates the challenges of high school.

Devi, a student at Sherman Oaks High School (played by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), is determined to improve her social status and embrace a bold approach to teenage life while dealing with the recent loss of her father.

The series explores the familiar teen themes of identity, family dynamics, and the difficulties of adolescence, offering a mix of humor, heartwarming moments, and cultural “Gen Z” insight. Devi’s journey is marked by her relationships with friends, family, and her pursuit of self-discovery, making “Never Have I Ever” an entertaining watch.

Her First-Time Fizzles

In the first season, we follow Devi’s life story as a high school sophomore. Like many of us, Devi wants to be popular and fit in with her classmates. Along her journey, she experiences typical teenage dilemmas and the romantic ups and downs that teenagers are all too familiar with.

At the height of Season One, Devi makes a move on her lifelong crush, Paxton. They decide to meet in Paxton’s garage for her “first time,” but she ends up feeling uncomfortable when things start to get heated. They had chemistry after a kiss, but the fire fizzles before the main event and they decide to just be friends. That’s where things get tricky.

While Devi and Paxton were hanging out and talking to each other in school more than usual, Devi’s friends become suspicious that the two shared more than a kiss. To keep her social standing in place, Devi decides to lie and tells her friends that she had sex with Paxton. The story spreads like a forest fire when someone overhears Devi and Ben (her on again, off again boyfriend) talking about she and Paxton’s encounter during a debate competition, so everyone in school starts spreading the lie.

There Is A Piece of Devi In All Of Us.

Devi’s struggle with her inner self continues during the next three seasons. From her possible move to India with her family; Conflict over whether she joins #teamPaxton (in hopes his popularity might rub off on her); and Devi’s parents’ plan to have her in an arranged marriage, we see parts of ourselves in Devi and the other characters who weave in and out of her life.

The series explores the familiar teen themes of identity, family dynamics, and the difficulties of adolescence, offering a mix of humor, heartwarming moments, and cultural “Gen Z” insight. Devi’s journey is marked by her relationships with friends, family, and her pursuit of self-discovery, making “Never Have I Ever” an entertaining watch.

If my own experience and social media are any clue, “Never Have I Ever” is amazingly addictive. The series is well-written and Devi’s march toward self-discovery and independence is really no different than what you’d see in the halls at Creek.

Honestly, the show is great because it is entertaining, relatable and helps you deal with your everyday life in general. Some might be turned off because of all of Devi’s drama – with her going from one boyfriend to another-  but “Never Have I Ever” has a positive vibe.

“Never Have I Ever” teaches us that self-acceptance is important and that embracing every aspect of ourselves will boost our confidence and make us happier and healthier. Devi’s experience is familiar, as we all  deal with the ups and downs of our own lives.